Piety

For someone who grew up with the imposing presence of Meenakshi Temple in the backyard, it is difficult to summon the same level of piety in a Hindu temple in America. Even more so, if the said temple happens to be one of those syncretic ‘religious centers’ in liberal land. First, one has to come to terms with the absolute disregard for all known aalaya nirmaana vidhis and the priest making announcements in English. Second, thanks to the enterprising nature of vadakkathis, the rituals hardly resemble the ones in TN. The one run by iyengars in a small office building replete with satari is out of favour with the wife who seems to prefer flamboyance. Third, as a thumb rule any place where NRIs congregate sucks. Finally one has to contend with militant desi kids, whose very presence is an annoyance.

However, this time it all felt closer to home. There was a Barathanatyam show by a Tamil teacher who had prepared her students for three kauthuvams. The kids did admirably well. Then she had a composition with the moms of the kids. Not to put down their effort, they were second rate in comparison to their daughters. There was even a caucasian lady who looked as convincing a Bharathanatyam dancer as I would be a banker if I wore a pinstripe suit. Or for that matter, a scotch whisky critic.